Elizabeth stole one look at the strong, kind face bent toward her. For the first time, though happily not for the last, she was realising the immense, the immeasurable comfort to be found in her husband's love. "I'll never--do such a thing again," she quavered. "I knew all the time I was being extravagant; but I didn't expect--I never supposed----" "You couldn't very well have foreseen the Pryse woman's astonishing business methods, nor Mrs. Van D.'s Christian forbearance." His tone was bitter as he spoke the last words. "But what I can't seem to understand is how that bill ever found its way to my esteemed sixteenth cousin." Elizabeth's eyes overflowed again. "I'm afraid it was Evelyn," she stammered. "She--told Madame Pryse that you--were Mrs. Van Duser's nephew." Sam Brewster whistled. Then he fell into a fit of revery so prolonged that Elizabeth nestled uneasily in the strong circle of his arm. He was reviewing the events of the immediate past in the cold light of the present, and the result was not altogether complimentary to Miss Tripp. "I say, little girl," he said at length, looking down at the tear-stained face against his shoulder, "I don't want to be disagreeable, but--er--I can't for the life of me see why Miss Tripp should interest herself so--intimately--in our affairs. Don't you think you might--er--discourage her a bit?" Elizabeth sighed reminiscently. "I wouldn't hurt Evelyn's feelings for the world," she said, "but I--I'll try." CHAPTER VII The very next morning as Elizabeth was engaged in putting the finishing touches upon the arrangements of her new home, with all the keen delight of nest-building, so strong in some women and so utterly lacking in others, Miss Evelyn Tripp was announced, and a moment later stepped airily from the laborious little elevator. "Oh, here you are _at last_, you _darling_ girl!" she exclaimed, clasping and kissing Elizabeth with _empressement_. "I knew you were expected last night--indeed, I was here all the morning helping, but as I told your mother and that dear, quaint grandmamma of yours, I wouldn't have intruded upon your very first evening _for the world_! How delightfully well and pretty you are looking, and isn't this the _sweetest_ little place? and oh! I nearly forgot, _did_ you find Mrs. Van Duser's note? I assure you I pounced upon _that_, and took good care to put it where you would both see it the _very_ first thing. I don't mind confessing that I am simply devoured with _curiosity_. _Was_ it a cheque, dear? And _is_ she going to do something nice for you in a social way?" Elizabeth's cheeks burned uncomfortably. "It was only a--a friendly--at least I think--I am sure she meant it to be a friendly letter. She said so, anyway. Sam put it in his pocket and took it away with him," she made haste to add, forestalling the urgent appeal in Miss Tripp's luminous gaze.